Your Most Embarrassing Beauty Problems - Decoded

Too mortified to talk to your friends or derm about your gross beauty issues? Here's the ugly truth on what's causing them -- and how to lose them for good

When I was in third grade, I had a wart on my inner knee. I wanted to die every time I had to sit Indian-style, which was about seven times a day. Though I didn't know it at the time, I began practicing yoga -- assuming creative positions that allowed me to cover my wart. But it was no use. One afternoon, while waiting for the bus, I began bickering with my brother. In an effort to one-up me (and apparently scar me for life, as I'm writing about it nearly two decades later), he shouted, "Emily has warts!" to anyone who would listen. The horror!

Even at eight, I knew that I should not have a wart. It was probably the first time I ever scrutinized myself enough to truly dislike something about my appearance. It wasn't the first time I would encounter a beauty issue and think to myself, 'I feel sorry for people who have to look at me.' While it's fun to talk about nail trends, or how to be the ultimate sex-vixen-goddess, sometimes beauty sources seem to gloss over the gross stuff. But here's what I've realized: If you've never had a wart, or the occasional cold sore, or overactive sweat glands, you're a robot.

Of course, as much as I'd like to tell you I love myself, warts and all, it doesn't mean I actually want to walk around with, ya know, real warts. That's why we're talking about it now. We'll walk you through the grossest beauty issues no one is really talking about -- but should. Cold sores, dandruff, keratosis pilaris, excessive sweating, and of course, warts, are just a few ailments that made the list. We had a heart-to-heart with Dr. Jessica Krant, NYC-based dermatologist and Art of Dermatology founder, and discussed the myths and facts of some of the grossest beauty issues, and how to deal with them.